The most beautiful European landmark is Ukraine’s spectacular Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, according to the golden ratio.
That’s according to a survey by Homedit.com.
The monastery’s complex width/height ratio worked out at 1.606, which is just a miniscule 0.69% off the golden ratio’s proportions. It carries diverse memories of the past with its strong architectural signature of the Ukrainian Baroque construction style.
Just behind, with a difference of 5.23% from the golden ratio is the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with a width/height ratio of 1.533. The Basilica is a one of a kind temple which was designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudi.
In third position is Prague Castle in the Czech Republic with a 7.88% difference from the golden ratio and a width/height ratio of 1.745. This impressive landmark is the largest ancient castle in the world!
Coming in at number four is the Grand Palace in Brussels, known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth, at 10.58% from the golden ratio and a width/height ratio of 1.446.
In fifth place is Dublin’s renowned St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a width/height ratio of 1.372 and 15.17% off the golden ratio. As one of the few buildings left from medieval Dublin, it offers visitors a rich and compelling cultural experience.
Other landmarks in the top 10 include the Trevi Fountain (15.37% from the golden ratio), The Notre Dame (16.13% from the golden ratio), The Duomo (18.88% from the golden ratio), Neuschwanstein Castle (21.58% from the golden ratio), and Chateau de Chillon (34.65% from the golden ratio).
Kiev, Ukraine. – Orthodox church building architecture, Pechersk Lavra monastery with golden cupolas – Shutterstock
Methodology:
- Homedit.com sought to find out which European landmarks are the most scientifically beautiful.
- To do this, Homedit.com collated a list of the 40 most famous European landmarks, using sources that included Destguides, the adventurous feet, and celebrity cruises.
- Next, Homedit.com sourced the dimensions of the façade of each landmark (width and height) using a combination of reliable online sources and Google Earth Pro in order to apply the golden ratio to each structure. Within this context, the weight/height ratio needs to be as close as possible to the golden ratio number (1.61803398875) in order to be considered statistically beautiful.
- The dimensions were then used to calculate the percentage difference from the dimensions of each landmark to the golden ratio.
- Each landmark was ranked based on which landmark’s façade was closest to the golden ratio, where the smallest percentage difference indicated a more scientifically beautiful palace.
- Data was collected on 17/02/22.